Finance news you need to know today

GREECE may need far less in bailout loans from international lenders because its finance are improving better than expected.

HERE are seven things making news in business and finance today.

1. SYDNEY — The Australian market looks set to open flat ahead of the release of the Reserve Bank’s February board meeting minutes, and with no guidance from Wall Street where markets were closed for the Presidents Day public holiday. At 0700 AEDT on Tuesday, the share price futures index was down five points, or 0.09 per cent, at 5,747.

2. SYDNEY — Meanwhile, the Australian dollar has crept slightly higher against the greenback overnight. The local currency was trading at 76.86 US cents at 0700 AEDT on Tuesday, from 76.78 on Monday.

3. BERLIN — Greece may need far less in bailout loans from international lenders because its finance are improving better than expected, the head the euro zone bailout fund says.

4. LONDON — British Prime Minister Theresa May says Parliament must not hold up “what the British people want” by trying to delay the start of European Union exit talks.

5. BAGHDAD — Iraq and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding to study the construction of a pipeline to export crude oil from the northern Iraqi fields of Kirkuk via Iran, the Iraqi oil ministry says.

6. BRUSSELS — US Vice President Mike Pence has sought to reassure the European Union in Brussels that the Trump administration will maintain and develop decades of partnership in trade and security.

7. FRANKFURT — Homes in large German cities are between 15 and 30 per cent overpriced, the Bundesbank says.